Comment:

This polygon feature class depicts defined zoning classes across the Puget Sound region. The sound-wide dataset is a composite of data available for each of the 13 counties which contain some portion of the Puget Sound basin. Data from Lewis county was not available. Data from each of the 32 incorporated areas was not collected. In those areas where data was unavailable, landcover information was used to approximate the zoning status. In all cases, the zoning classifications were hierarchically summarized to a coarser representation of development potential that is consistent across the Puget Sound region. Finer level county zoning classifications were hierarchically summarized to a coarser representation (this variable) of development potential that is consistent across the Puget Sound region. This variable is also used to develop relationships between development classes and current shoreline modification, and this relationship is used to project new shoreline modifications (including all over water structures) based on changes in development density.